Exploring Galaxy’s Newest Frontier

Nightclubs, like fashion houses, are enterprises for the creative, the brave and the partly insane.

This is said with some reverence, even the insane part. How else could anyone return to the job again and again, putting up with the endless hours, unexpected trends, a fickle public, even more fickle bands and the stench of spilled beer that lingers the morning after?

As owner of the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano and San Diego and the Ventura Theater, Gary Folgner should probably be committed. Instead, he added the Galaxy Concert Theatre in Santa Ana to his stable. When five months of putting on concerts wasn’t enough trouble, he added a dance club to the madness.

The Galaxy Club, which started last week and is held Wednesdays only, will showcase mostly local bands, keeping in tune with the theater’s live-music format. But the chairs and tables that ruin many a good concert are removed to let patrons (gasp!) dance.

It’s appropriate, even a must, that patrons should have the opportunity to boogie in this marvelous place. Rows of tables illuminated by old-fashioned, rose-shaped lamps are arranged in amphitheater style, reminiscent of some ‘40s dinner club. Indeed, Southern California swing bands such as Royal Crown or Jump City would fit perfectly here--as long as the dance floor remains open.

For its premiere night, however, it wasn’t swing but New Wave that got the fewer than 60 patrons out of their chairs. Covers, including medleys, of hits from Boy George, Tommy Two Tone, Billy Idol and Duran Duran were deftly delivered by Flock of Goo Goo, featuring members of real bands (and local favorites) the Cadillac Tramps, Joyride, Cisco Poison and One Hit Wonder. The name (in case you’re stumped) is a hybrid of New Wave dregs Flock of Seagulls and Kaja Goo Goo. Next week, Pump City brings its funk.

Anything from the ‘80s is the latest and hippest retro regurgitation going now, evident by its still non-mainstream appeal. Unfortunately, the vinyl sounds before the band played were from another planet.

To this crowd, there is nothing alternative, hip or even interesting about contemporary dance hits from Salt-N-Pepper or Janet Jackson. Deelite and Grand Master Flash perked them up, but only for a minute.

That’s not to say the mix was bad. Deejays Daniel and Special K deliver danceable ditties that would be welcome at most clubs; they’re just not a good choice here--as the empty floor and bored mugs illustrated. Better to rotate a recorded diet of kitsch, whether it’s New Wave, Kiss or vintage punk pop.

And club operators should also consider more drink specials if they really want to appeal to the twentysomething set. Bottles of Heineken and Corona are $4, as is Samuel Adams on tap; a glass of wine runs $3.75 to $4.50. Stick to the $2 shots of Schnapps and domestic drafts. * CLUB GALAXY

* 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana.

* (714) 957-0600.

* Wednesdays only. 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.

* Cover: $5.

* 21 and over.